Chapter 40
"Have any trouble getting here?" Madam Bones asked as Harry and Hermione along with Tonks took a seat in her office.
"Outside of a bloody phoenix appearing out of nowhere in Remus' room?" Tonks replied with a snort. "Had us all going for our wands until we realized it was just these two making a grand appearance."
"Phoenix?" The Director of Magical Law Enforcement asked as she turned a quizzical gaze upon Harry and Hermione.
"Dumbledore still has reservations about the Floo," Hermione added at the questioning look from Amelia. "He asked us to allow Fawkes take us to St. Mungos. Of course we still had to floo from there to here, but that was through the new place."
"We are fairly sure we've got the Floo issue taken care of," Amelia explained. "The Director of Magical Travel was under the Imperious. She was freed from it when we traversed the new Goblin entrance." She picked up a piece of parchment and then continued. "We've also found several other victims including three of my aurors. As they are questioned, they are leading us to He… I mean Voldemort's supporters and other victims. Your suggestion about that entryway just might have given us that chance we needed to protect our own."
"Just glad the thought occurred to me," Hermione replied.
"Do we know how it works?" Tonks asked. She had been impressed with the entryway.
"And that, Auror Tonks is not a question you will ever ask again," Madam Bones said as she glared at the young Auror. "Is that understood?"
"Eh…yes Ma'am," Tonks replied hesitantly.
"That entrance is important and we will not offend the Goblins by trying to unravel their magic," Amelia continued. "I don't want it even casually talked about. In fact you will let me know if you find anyone who is trying to find out that information. Do you understand?"
"Yes Ma'am," Tonks replied immediately this time.
"Good, now I'd like a complete understanding of what happened yesterday that led up to when we found you," Madam Bones instructed.
The next two hours were spent going over what happened. Harry and Hermione only described the morning as "Going with Dumbledore to explore something that ended up with the Headmaster injured." They skipped over the meal in the Room of Requirements as well. Finally after Tonks gave her account of searching for Harry and Hermione only to have them walk in on her when she had run out of places to look, Amelia sat back and nodded.
"Now Auror Tonks, we must discuss your actions in disregarding my orders." The head of the DMLE stated. "But before I decide on that, I would like to know about Mister Lupin's prognosis?"
"Eh…he…eh…," Tonks stammered at the sudden change of conversation. She then swallowed and continued. "He will be released from St. Mungo's tomorrow or the next day and then they are recommending five days of bed rest after that."
"Glad to know he is getting better." Madam Bones said. "Now, back to your actions; do you agree that you did not follow my orders concerning Mr. Potter?"
"Yes...ma'am," Tonks replied as she looked nervously at her boss.
"She didn't have a choice," Harry started. "We made…."
"Mr. Potter, my auror was given a direct order and in both yours and her accounts, it appears there was plenty of opportunity for her to re-establish control of the situation." Amelia replied before turning her attention back to Tonks and spoke in a clear commanding voice. "Auror Tonks… for your actions of deliberately disobeying a direct order yesterday, I am suspending you for seven days without pay," Madam Bones replied. "Though because of these tenuous times of unrest, I require you to check in via floo twice a day during that time to see if you are needed; is that understood?"
"Uh…yes Ma'am," Tonks replied as her eyes widened.
"Then I think you can begin your suspension now," Amelia replied. "You can send Sirius here to escort the Potters to where they are staying or I can find Shacklebolt."
"Yes Ma'am," Tonks replied again as she stood up.
"I did notice you have enough leave available to cover this time," Amelia added. "You are more than welcome to request leave pay for those days."
Tonks nodded as she walked to the door. As she opened it, she turned back and said. "Thank you ma'am."
Amelia Bones only nodded at her young Auror.
Once the door was closed, Hermione asked. "Did you just order her to take care of Remus?"
"Of course not," Madam Bones replied with a wink. "Such actions would surely lead to accusations of favoritism. I clearly just suspended her because she failed in her duty to protect the two of you, going against a direct order. Now tell me about yesterday. Did you secure the ring?"
"Yes we did," Harry replied, "and just stopped Dumbledore from putting it on. That's how he got injured. Even though he told us to stay behind when he went into the hut, we followed a couple of minutes behind him. He was already caught in the compulsion when we caught up to him. Hermione and I realized the only way to stop him in time was to hex him. We ended up breaking all of the bones in his hands and vanishing the bones in his legs."
"Fortunately we were in time and he will be fine," Hermione added. "We also had a very informative talk with him earlier. We got him to tell us about Harry being a Horcrux and that he believes Harry will live through another Killing Curse by Voldemort to get rid of it."
"And young Miss Weasley?"
"Both the Weasley parents and Dumbledore have agreed that she needs psychological help," Hermione replied. "I'm going to do a bit of research of places that would offer the help she needs and are located far away from here."
"Can I help?" Amelia asked. "I can make a query to St. Mungos about quality facilities they may know about around the world."
"That would be appreciated," Hermione replied. "I would like this done very soon before Mrs. Weasley talks herself out of this."
The next couple of hours were spent discussing how things were progressing, but finally they were interrupted by Minister Fudge barging in.
"Amelia, what is this about my floo being shut down?" Fudge demanded. "And a new Goblin controlled entryway?"
"It is a new defensive measure for this building," Amelia replied evenly. "I found out that the Goblins have means to detect and reverse both Polyjuice and Imperious. After negotiations, with the help of Mr. Potter here," She nodded at the Boy-Who-Lived, "they have agreed to provide an entryway that will defend this building from those types of subversion."
"At what cost?" Fudge demanded.
"A lot less than losing this war to Voldemort," Madam Bones replied evenly.
"Tell me Minister," Hermione added. "What cost do you place on a good man's life, or a person being forced to undermine the Ministry he works so hard for?"
"Yes…well…fine," Fudge said. "Just get my floo back online. I don't have time for this nonsense."
"Of course Minister," Amelia replied. "But if you floo is going to be the only one open, then I better assign at least five aurors to be in your office at all times as well as another five to follow you everywhere you go with orders to take you down by any means necessary if you start acting strangely. I mean once that information comes out that you have the only floo into the Ministry that bypasses the enhanced security, surely You-Know-Who will be coming after you so his followers can have access to the Ministry once again."
Cornelius' faced turned a sickly green as he swallowed.
"Then again if you were to publicly acknowledge the importance of the facility; proclaiming that you yourself will be using it as well, then You-Know-Who would have no reason to try to imperious you or kidnap you and try to send someone in polyjuiced as you since it would fail." Amelia continued with a smile. "It would also provide a good example to the good men and women who work here; showing them that you care about their safety."
"Eh…yeah…excellent idea," Fudge said. "It's only a minor inconvenience, isn't it. Good for morale and safety. I…I think I need to return to my office…and…." He didn't finish his sentence as he turned and left Amelia's office.
Madam Bones turned to Harry and Hermione and shared a smile. "Sometime he does listen, especially when it's his own neck that is being protected."
"We should be returning to…the place we're staying," Hermione said and she stood.
Before Amelia stood as well but before she could reply, her secretary knocked on the door and poked her head in. "Ma'am, this box arrived for Mr. Potter in care of this office."
"Who is it from?"
"Eh…it was delivered by a Goblin who said it was from Ragnok himself," The secretary replied in a tone that made it sound like she didn't believe it. "It will not open for me, but I did performed the normal scans and it doesn't appear dangerous though."
Madam Bones glanced at Harry and Hermione. They all shared the same hope about what was in the package. She then turned back to her secretary. "Place it on the table. Thank you." Once the secretary had departed, Madam Bones ran her own magical detection charms on the package before she was satisfied.
Harry tried to lift the lid, but it refused to budge. "How do we open it?" He asked.
"There must be some clue to how to open it," Hermione said as she started to examine the box. As she was running her finger over one of the sides, she felt an irregularity. "It…its a hidden opening." She felt a little more. It's mostly round but one side has a rectangular opening."
In what would normally appear to be reversed ways of doing things, while Hermione tried various spells and physical manipulations to try to open the box, Harry grabbed a quill and parchment from Madam Bones desk and drew a circle and a rectangle. After a minute or two of staring at it, and idea came to him and he merged the two shapes together and then smiled. He lifted the drawing up and said "Hermione, what do you see?"
Hermione looked up from the box and after only a second or two replied. "A Keyhole…of course. That would be the only way he could have made sure you were the one to open it. They would have your key on record so it would be easy to create a lock that only your Gringotts' key can open."
Harry took his key from his mokeskin pouch and with Hermione indicating where the keyhole was by putting a finger above and below the openings, he slid the key into the box and turned. With an audible click, the lid of the box lifted and revealed a small gold cup with a badger on it. The cup itself had been cleaved half-way through by some sharp weapon.
"The Horcrux?" Amelia asked though she already knew the answer having seen it in the teens' memories.
"Yes," Hermione replied as she lifted the cup out of the box. Only then did they notice a piece of parchment stuffed into it. Pulling the parchment out they found it was a note which she read out loud.
Thank you for the most enlightening adventure. If you happen to have more Basilisk venom, I'm willing to pay handsomely for it. Though I took the finest blades that my people have ever made into that Vault only the blade you gifted me was able to overcome the magic protecting the cup. Also consider my requirements for an adequate deposit against the cup no longer necessary. Ms. Lestrange has put several curses on the items in her vault that placed the lives of my people in danger. I have declared that every single piece of treasure with such curses that affect my people is subject to confiscation. With the current number of my people who are lined up outside of the Lestrange vault waiting for chance to "accidentally" touch one of these treasures, I doubt anything will be left in the vault by the time you receive this note.
Also please inform Madam Bones that I am pleased with the early reports from the new entry location. If they continue to be as equally pleasing in the days to come, I m willing to further negotiate with her on other concerns.
Ragnok.
Chapter 41
Another long wait, but another chapter has finally made it. Before I begin though, I must reply to a Guest reviewer who went to great lengths in reviewing Chapter 14 to explain why "Portus' would be the incorrect Latin spelling for the spell to create Portkeys….
DO YOU READ THE BOOKS!
(From Book 5)
He pointed his wand at it and muttered, `Portus.'
He raised his wand and murmured, ʹPortus!ʹ
Those two lines are taken directly from the book when Dumbledore created portkeys, so I DIDN'T decide to use 'portus' for the Portkey spell, JK Rowling did. Blame her for the bad Latin.
OK…whew…had to get that out of my system.
Also to the reviewers who have decided to not read my material again because of my political leanings (which I stated when I encouraged EVERYONE, even those who disagreed with me, to vote), you do realize that I do not make money when I write? I mean does it hurt me in the least because a few narrow minded individuals don't read my stories? Sigh…I really am concerned about the intelligence level of some people here in the United States.
Now after this quick disclaimer, we'll be back to my chapter.
I do not own Harry Potter nor any recognizable characters in this story. Though Miranda and a mousetrap laying Death are all mine.
Chapter 41
"So, that only leaves that snake and you Harry," Madam Bones said as they placed the destroyed Hufflepuff Cup back in the box. "Have you given any consideration to how you'll confront Voldemort?"
"Definitely not in the middle of a large battle again," Harry replied. "I think we need to figure out a way to get him alone."
"Though I agree that would be best, finding when he'll be somewhere could prove very difficult." Madam Bones said. "During the last war, we thought we had him several times and it was either a trap or he slipped through our hands. I fear what you want to do is going to be difficult unless you have something from the future that might help."
"Unfortunately most of that knowledge is becoming useless," Hermione explained. "It's entirely different now. People are alive who weren't before, like yourself and there are a lot less Death Eaters."
"For both of those things, I thank you and your Goddess," Amelia replied. "As for Voldemort, if you do think of anything, please let me know and I'll try to do the same. If we coordinate this enough, maybe you can face off with him with a lot less risk."
"Thanks," Harry replied. "Any help would definitely be appreciated. "
"For now though, I think the best thing to do is try to find the snake," Hermione added. "We can't finish Voldemort until the snake is dead. But we can't let Voldemort or any of his spies know we're looking for Nagini."
"I agree," Bones agreed. "I do have an idea on how to search for it without raising suspicions."
"How?"
"The attack on Arthur at Christmas is still unsolved." Amelia replied. "Now that the public knows about Dumbledore's pensieve, I can get Arthur's memories of the encounter and have a picture of the snake on the front page of the Prophet. Maybe even offer a reward."
"Excellent idea!" Harry said excitedly.
Hermione had a more pensive look before she added, "Wouldn't that possibly lead to making it more difficult to find Nagini? I mean if Voldemort knows everyone is looking for him, wouldn't he be less likely to allow him to roam?"
"Maybe," Madam Bones conceded, "But even so, it would prevent more attacks by the snake and prevent Voldemort from having a very effective information gathering avenue. It might require more time to find the snake, but it also might save lives in the meantime. I mean you don't have a good way to kill Voldemort yet, so the more we can limit him until you do, the better."
"That is true," Hermione agreed.
%%%% %%%%
Dumbledore was still at his desk contemplating his discussions with the Potters long after the teens had left his office. Hour after hour he thought about the condemnation they had had for him. Though he tried to mentally defend himself, every argument he developed shattered on the remembered words of the two teens. Finally with a heavy sigh and a glance at the Sorting Hat, he rose and made his way to his fireplace. He threw some Floo powder into the fire and once the flames turned green, he said "Madame Bone's Office, Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
%%%% %%%%
That evening, Harry and Hermione had just sat down to dinner with Hermione's parents when they broached the difficult subject.
"Ma'am, sir," Harry started nervously as he gave a glance at his wife. "We promised we'd tell you about…eh…things that happen in the magical world and something happened yesterday. The question is if you want to hear about it?"
"Since you are asking that question, I presume it was something bad?" Richard asked with a sigh.
"It was actually a couple of things, and yes they were bad in a sense," Harry replied.
Richard looked at his wife who gave a slight shake of her head before he turned back. "Are either of you hurt?"
"No," Hermione replied to her father and then silently to Harry. "At least not from what happened, though I am still sore. I really do need to learn that charm from Fleur."
"Did…did you kill someone else?" This was from Mrs. Granger. She had noticed the slightly guilty look Hermione had given Harry before answering.
Another glance was exchanged between the Potters before Harry said, "Yes but they were Death Eaters trying to kill our friends."
"Are you in legal trouble?" Richard asked with a look of concern. "Do you need a solicitor?"
"We've already spoken with Madam Bones," Hermione replied. "She knows of our involvement and doesn't consider us to blame. In fact we're considered heroes in the magical world for what we did."
"How man…" Jean started and then stopped and shook her head. "No…you've already shown us that our imaginations can't even start to rival what seems to happen in the magical world. Tell us about it when it's over."
Richard sighed once more and nodded his agreement. "Harry…" he started and stopped as he searched for words. "Just…just…" he tried again before he paused again, finally after another sigh he continued. "I told Jean the other evening that if you can get my daughter through this, I'd be glad to walk her down the aisle of any church at any time for her to marry you."
"Eh…," Harry started as his eloquent reply. "Thank you…eh…I know all this…" Harry was also having difficulties in answering Hermione's father. With a glance and smile at Hermione he turned back to Richard and continued. "Sir, though as far as incentive goes that is…eh…unexpected and I couldn't ask for a better one, but it's entirely unneeded. As I've said before, Hermione is the most important person in my life. No incentive or reward would be more than the love I have for her and that is all I need to want her safe."
An awkward silence descended on the table before Jean quietly said, "Just be careful you two."
"You two need to be careful as well," Hermione replied. "We've hurt Voldemort and his supporters badly. It is possible they might try to get to us through you."
"You think we're in danger," Her father asked as he looked at his wife in concern.
"That's why the wards were put around the house," Hermione replied. "You're safe enough here and if someone does try to take down the wards, you'll have time enough for Dobby and Winky to get you to safety," Hermione glanced at the two elves who were listening in on the conversation. They both started nodding. "But I'm concerned they might find a way to locate you at your practice."
"Is there anything we can do?" Jean asked.
"For starters, maybe have your receptionist warn you if anyone comes in acting strangely," Hermione suggested.
"Well that's 2 or 3 patients on any given day," Jean replied. "People in pain or fear do strange things. And both of those are common in dentist offices."
"Can…Dobby help?" The House Elf asked hesitantly.
"In what way?" Hermione asked as everyone turned to look at the little elf.
"Dobby or any house elf can sense if someone is magical," Dobby explained. "That's how wees know if we can be seen by them or not. Wees can be invisible to people."
"So you think you can keep an eye on our patients," Jean asked, "and let us know if any are magical?"
"Dobby can do that," Dobby said as he nodded his head.
"Winky can too," the other elf said.
"But how to we know if they're dangerous?" Richard asked. "You just said a few days ago we probably have werewolves as patients already. Wouldn't they be magical?"
"They would," Hermione agreed. "I just think Dobby and Winky keeping an eye out for anyone pulling out a wand would do the trick." She turned to the elves. "If you see a witch or wizard pull out a wand in Mum and Dad's office, you either subdue them or get mum and dad out of there as quickly as possible."
"We can't just run away and leave our staff and patients," Jean huffed. "Is there anything we can do to protect ourselves?"
"Not really," Hermione replied. "Locks are useless against magic. Even barricades would not stop a blast hex or two. You really don't have anything that can take out a Death Eater or two. Though if you are confronted by one, the best advice I could give you is to attack them physically with the goal of breaking their wands. Though some can do wandless magic, most probably are useless without them."
"What about a shotgun or something?" Richard asked with a grimace. The idea of having a weapon at his practice was not something he really wanted to contemplate.
"I would not recommend it. If a wizard can imperius you before you can get a shot off, they can force you to shoot someone else or even yourself." Hermione argued. "A Death Eater would think it's funny. Besides, the walls of your office aren't exactly able to stop the shot from penetrating to the next room. You could actually end up killing the same people you want to protect. There is also the fact that a Witch or wizard can heal themselves or have accidental or unintentional magic protect them."
"What do you mean?" Jean asked.
"You remember how unexplained things happened around me?" Hermione asked. "How Professor McGonagall explained that it was accidental magic caused by fear or extreme emotions?"
"Of course," Jean replied.
"Well the same can happen to adult wizard when faced with a life or death situation," Hermione continued explaining. "Their magic can act to protect them if they recognize the threat."
"That's why Hagrid basically said it would have been impossible for mum and dad to have died in a car crash," Harry added. "Their magic would have done its best to protect them."
"So if they recognize the threat you pose, almost anything could happen," Hermione finalized.
"So we can basically do nothing but run away?" Richard sighed.
Jean though wasn't giving up just yet. "What about narcotics? If we can get close enough, maybe we can inject them with something?"
"Most muggle medications are fairly useless against wizards," Hermione countered. "Even if they would work you'd have to have it ready….." Her voice trailed off as she got a faraway look for a few seconds then as her face brightened, she continued. "Do you have those self-injecting things for severe allergic reactions?"
"An Epipen?" Jean asked. "Of course. Fortunately we've never had a reason to use one yet, but it is always better to be safe. But what good would that do against one of these Death Eaters?"
Hermione turned to Harry, "If we swap out the medication in one of those with Draught of Living Death, then it's just a matter of hitting them with it. We might even train Dobby and Winky how to use one." She looked at the elves would were trying to follow what was being said and failing. At the sound of their names they looked up with expectation.
"But those injectors take 10 seconds to work," Jean protested. "These Death Eater people aren't going to sit quietly waiting for it to finish administering this stuff."
"The draught of the living Death only takes a few drops if it's sufficient quality," Hermione explained. "That much should enter the body almost instantly on injection."
"But will it work if it isn't swallowed?" Harry asked.
"It should actually work faster if administered directly into the body," Hermione explained. She turned to the elves. "Or at least you would have a way to keep them down if Dobby or Winky can subdue them." She turned to the elves. "Can you do that? Harry told me how Dobby stopped Malfoy from cursing him at the end of our second year. Can you do something similar if someone threatens my parents? If you can immobilize an attacker, then Mum or Dad or maybe even you can inject them with the potion."
"Dobby can try," Dobby replied as both elves nodded.
"Then let's at least plan on having that if necessary," Hermione said. "Can you bring me one or two of those injectors?"
"Of course," Richard replied. "We even have a practice one at the office so when we need to train new staff on the proper use of it. We can use it to see if the elves can manage it."
"Perfect." Hermione said. "And I'll get the potion brewed. It doesn't take very long and we have the perfect book to instruct us in making it." She glanced at Harry with a knowing smile.
"Glad we didn't have to mention Ginny to them," Harry said later that evening after dinner. With the conversation turned to protecting the Grangers at their practice, what happened the previous day was forgotten. "Not sure how they would have taken to the fact that a close friend tried to kill you."
"I'm glad of that as well," Hermione replied.
%%%%% July 13th %%%%%
"Arry, 'Ermione," Fleur's voice could be heard after she knocked midmorning. "You 'ave owl post for each of you. Bill thinks it is your OWL results."
"Thanks you Fleur, we'll be down shortly," Hermione said calmly.
"Remember the last time?" Harry asked. "You were beside yourself; even thought you had failed every subject."
"I also remember something FORGETTING to tell me the results were due that morning," Hermione gave her husband a fake glare.
"I did have other things on my mind," Harry reminded her. "Prophecies and things…"
"And you think that was more important than my OWL results?" Hermione asked in a haughty voice before she smiled. "Let's go down and see how we did."
"When they made it to the kitchen Ron was studying his results with a frown. "How did you do?" Harry asked.
"Four," Ron mumbled. "But my Charms results aren't on here, so hopefully five."
"Better than the twins," Bill said encouragingly. "They only got three each."
"So you got to make the Charms test up?" Hermione asked as she started opening her own envelope.
Ron nodded and didn't bother to explain because he didn't want to relive what happened in the Charms OWL.
"How did you do? All Outstandings right?" Harry asked. "Not like I don't already know."
Hermione nodded as she handed her results to Harry
Ancient Runes O
Arithmancy O
Astronomy O
Care of Magical Creatures O
Charms O
Defense Against the Dark Arts O
Herbology O
History of Magic O
Potions O
Transfiguration O
"Ten Oustandings*; Impressive," Harry replied.
"What about you?" Hermione asked and Harry handed over his results.
Astronomy E
Care of Magical Creatures O
Charms O
Defense Against the Dark Arts O
Herbology O
History of Magic E
Potions O
Transfiguration O
"8 OWLS with 6 outstandings?" Hermione exclaimed. "You got 7 last time, but only 1 Outstanding."
"I had a little help in a couple of these tests this time around. You remembering the questions and answers made memorizing what I needed to know for the testing. And that potion testing in the Room of Requirement really really helped," Harry said but then continued out loud. "Didn't want to let you down now did I?" As much as he knew he shouldn't considering what Ron had been through in the last few days, Harry couldn't help but take a verbal swat at the redhead and the insult he had given about Neville at Hogwarts, "Working with Neville really paid off for that Outstanding in Herbology. He really knows his stuff. How'd you do in Herbology Ron?"
Ron didn't answer but his face turned red as he got up and left the kitchen.
"Maybe we should go over today and thank Neville and see how he did," Hermione suggested.
"That would be great," Harry replied.
"What about Beauxbatons Fleur? What kind of testing do you do?" Hermione asked the beautiful part Veela. Soon the two of them were engrossed in a conversation comparing the classes and testing between the two schools.
While his wife and Fleur were deep in their discussion, Harry's eyes fell on the OWL results Ron had left on the table. He pulled them over and read.
Astronomy P
Care of Magical Creatures A
Defense Against the Dark Arts A
Divination A
Herbology P
History of Magic T
Potions P
Transfiguration A
Later that evening, Dumbledore glanced around the table at Grimmauld place at the greatly diminished number of Order of the Phoenix Members; three members dead, three still in St. Mungos and a blessing that the rest of the faces looking back at him were even alive. "It saddens me to see so many of our numbers missing," He started. "Fortunately our wounded will be back with us shortly. As for our departed friends, we must strive to remember their sacrifice and continue to fight the darkness that took them from us."
"What about Snape?" Bill Weasley asked. "Is it true he knew we were going to be attacked and told He-Who-Must-Not-Ne-Named you weren't going to be with us?"
Dumbledore sighed as he gathered his thoughts. "Severus had some idea that there might be an attack with Dementors," He started in try to weave an honest explanation around what really happened. "He wasn't too concerned because we've dealt with Dementors on a regular basis. By the time he knew how serious the attack was he was forbidden to leave Voldemort's side."
"And did he tell He-Who-Must-Not-Ne-Named you weren't going to be there?" Bill persisted.
"As you might realize, Severus has a difficult task of maintaining Voldemort's trust while he spies for us," Albus explained. "He does have to give what appears to be important information on occasion to Voldemort, but he didn't realize it would lead to an attempt to eliminate the ENTIRE Order when he did so. I've traveled many times in the past and nothing like this has happened."
"So you think we should continue to trust him?" This from Vance. "After this? How can we trust what he tells us?"
"I am currently re-evaluating how we utilize Severus from now on," Dumbledore admitted. "Though we suffered grave losses, Voldemort suffered far worse. He has suspicions of Severus which means any and all information could be further traps."
"So what are we going to do now?" Mad-eye Moody asked.
"I…I have been amiss in my leadership of this organization," Dumbledore confessed. "As you all know, I believe all life is important and everyone deserves second chances, but I have been reminded recently that second chances should not come at the expense of the lives of the innocent." The leader of the Order stopped and looked at those who he led before he continued. "I spoke with Madam Amelia Bones earlier today. In recognition of your efforts and sacrifice, she was willing to provide these." Dumbledore took several sheets of parchment and started passing them around.
"What are these?" Vance asked.
"These are your authorizations to defend yourselves against Death Eater with lethal force," Dumbledore replied. "If Death Eaters appear, you have the full authority of the Ministry to take offensive measures to protect yourself and any innocents, up to and including lethal spells. This, of course, does not allow you to use unforgivables. You do not have to wait to be attacked; just someone appearing in the garbs of a Death Eater is sufficient grounds for any measure you find necessary. If Aurors appear and wish to arrest you afterwards, show them this parchment and ask to speak directly to Madam Bones or me." Dumbledore sighed as he looked once again at his followers. "I hope you will still show some compassion but not at the expense of another empty chair at this table."
A/N I know there are a lot of stories about guns against magicals and I even thought about having the Grangers hire an armed security guard which might be a logical solution here in the US. BUT after researching the subjects, I discovered that in the UK, security guards can't have guns, batons or even pepper spray. So against a magical, they are pretty useless (I don't live in the UK, so if I'm mistaken in what I researched, please let me know).
*For Hermione's owl results. The first edition of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince said Hermione had 11 OWLs, 10 Outstandings and 1 Exceeds Expectations. That was corrected in later editions when the errors was pointed out that Hermione was only in 10 classes. Though many people argued that she still might have taken the OWL for Muggle studies, it was clearly an error as stated by a representative of Bloomsbury reported.
- Bloomsbury information-
The hardback edition of the sixth installment of the schoolboy wizard's adventures, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, said that swotty Hermione Granger had scooped 11 top results in her Ordinary Wizarding Levels (OWLs). But hawk-eyed readers spotted that in the previous book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, she had only taken 10 subjects.
Publishers quickly fixed the discrepancy in the next edition, downgrading her results from one "Exceeds Expectations" and ten "Outstanding" grades to nine "Outstandings" and one "Exceeds Expectations".
The change in the Harry Potter books was reported on fan site .com.
A spokeswoman for publishers Bloomsbury said that the error had been spotted last year and quickly fixed.
"In book six it said 11 and book five it said 10," she explained.
"It was corrected immediately."
Chapter 42
I'M BACK! It's been way to long and I can not make any promises about how long it will be for the next chapter, but I'm feeling pretty good.
I would like to thank those who review and wish me well. These are difficult time we live in the United States and the World. With many people losing their lives, loved ones and jobs to Covid, it is heartbreaking to read the news. Throw in the racial tensions, political differences and everything else we can squabble over here in the US, including wearing a mask that's sole purpose is protect ourselves, our loved ones and the people of our community and…and…well I truly hope there is a time in the future where we can rebuild this country, reconnect with our friends and have disagreements instead of arguments. Divisiveness has been a political agenda for four years now, hopefully we can find unity.
As I get ready to publish this chapter, vaccines are likely on the horizon though still months out from being distributed widespread, but a light is at the end of the very long dark tunnel we've been going through. Even with that light, the tunnel seems to be getting darker as the days get shorter (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere). We're now experiencing 150,000-200,000 and even more cases a day and deaths are skyrocketing here in the United States. Be smart people, socially distance, wear a mask and wash your hands… do you really want yourself or a loved to die this close to the end of this Pandemic if you can help it?
Sigh….had a Guest reviewer try to correct me about Hermione's OWLs from last chapter. I quoted the PUBLISHER! And yet they still think they need to correct me…sigh.
To help me move the story along, I'm going to start speeding through some of the summer. I want to get back to Hogwarts in the next chapter or two and then start to wind this story down. I know how it ends (though my muse my change a detail or two along the way) so hopefully we can get this finished by summertime.
Chapter 42
%%%% July 15th %%%%
"For all the wrong Professor Snape does," Hermione said as she stirred the potion in front of her once clockwise after the seven counterclockwise stirs and watched it turn pale pink, "He does know his potions."
"Too bad he didn't write textbooks instead of teaching," Harry replied. They were finishing the Draught of Living Death per the 'Half-Blood Prince' instructions. "Wonder why the textbooks we use at school are so bad? I mean obviously these instructions are better than what's in our textbooks."
"Well there is an old saying," Hermione said as glanced up from her stirring. "Those that can, do, and those that can't teach. Somewhere along the line, I read a caveat to that saying that said 'Those can neither do nor teach, write textbooks.' "
"And instruction manuals, don't forget writing instruction manuals," Hermione's mother added as she overheard the last of the conversation as she walked into the garage where they had set up the potion brewing area. "Here are two of the Epipens we have at the office." She continued while handing over the devices. "And this is the practice one."
Harry took them from her and set them on their makeshift table. "Thank you. We'll feel better when you have something at your work that can give you some protection."
"Well Dobby and Winky are taking turns there today," Jean Granger replied. "I would never have known they're there, but it seems the office got a little cleaner during the day. And that is difficult to accomplish considering how clean a Dentist office is to start with. Our assistant hasn't run out screaming so I presume she didn't see them either."
"Make sure Dobby and Winky know that you are happy," Hermione said as she continued to concentrate on the potion.
"Oh, I will, but they are currently making dinner," Jean replied. "Of course, they don't have to deal with traffic to and from our office."
"I'm sure they would be willing to apparate you there every day," Harry suggested. "They are going there anyway."
"And no one see us come and go?" Jean asked. "It would get very suspicious very quickly."
"True."
"How much longer?" Jean asked. "I can let Dobby and Winky know."
"About…. twenty minutes," Hermione replied as she quickly glanced at her watch.
"There, perfect," Hermione said as the potion turned clear as water a short time later. "Now we need to find a way to load this in the epipen and then test it."
"Who do have in mind to test it on?" Harry asked.
"We should try it first on an animal," Hermione replied, "Though we do need to test it on a person."
"Try it out on me," Harry said.
"And if for some reason I have to take you to St. Mungos?" Hermione asked. "How long would it take for the word that we're working on brewing the Draught of Living Death to get back to ears that we don't want it going to?"
"Think Madam Bones can suggest someone? Maybe Tonks?" Harry asked.
"Actually, I have a better idea," Hermione replied. "What about one or both of the Twins? See how they like being an unknowing test subject?" She still nursed a grudge from the telescope that gave her a black eye at the Burrow. "No one would bat an eye if they needed medical assistance."
"Sounds like the perfect subjects," Harry agreed. "If this goes well, then maybe it's something they can add into their list of items to sell to the Ministry for the Aurors. I mean stunners don't keep people down when they have partners, but the Draught will."
"True, but it might also take away our advantage by having this, not to mention similar usage for nefarious purposes," Hermione said.
"What do you mean?"
"Well almost any potion could be delivered in this manner," Hermione explained. "And no one in the wizarding world knows about these, so like having a knife that no one takes away, how about having a way to put someone down in a semi-permanent fashion that doesn't kill them."
"Good point, but first let's just make sure we can protect your parents."
It took them two days to figure out a way to replace the epinephrine with their potion. They first conjured a similar sized container and practiced the switching spell with colored water until they could do it with the precision necessary. Fortunately, they also learned that a simple 'Reparo' charm returned the medical device to its original construction.
In the meantime, they had shown Dobby and Winky how to use the training device.
"Since I do not know if it is different with magical potions, I'm going to presume it is the same as standard medication absorption." Hermione explained to the elves. "The human body has two locations which allows for the fastest absorption of injected medications. The upper arm," she indicated the spot, "and the lateral thigh muscle." Again, she indicated the spot along her upper leg. "With the thigh actually being the best spot for the fastest absorption. So, with your height, that is actually the perfect spot to try for going against a standing wizard." Hermione demonstrated by holding the epipen and bringing it to her thigh. "But try is the optimal word. If you can't get to their thigh, inject them wherever you can reach. It could possibly take longer for it to work but we are pretty sure they will still go down."
%%%% %%%%
"Damn you Potter," Severus Snape yelled as another empty glass that had been filled with Firewhisky smashed into the stone fireplace at his residence at Spinner's End. It was followed by the empty bottle. "All your fault," He muttered drunkenly, "Yours and that bloody know-it-all mudblood".
Ever since the fiasco with the Dementors and Death Eater raid in central London, neither Voldemort nor Dumbledore were sharing information with Severus. Both of his 'Masters' were now using Severus as nothing more than a gopher boy. Dumbledore had even forbidden him from coming to the Order meetings while Voldemort had him brewing potions that could be bought at any apothecary.
"All Potter's fault," Muttered Snape again as he opened another bottle. "But you wait and see…they'll both see how much they need me and beg me for my help…just need to remind them both that I am irreplaceable."
%%%% July 18th %%%%
"Though this place in Switzerland is the very best place for Psychiatric care in the wizarding world according to the information Hermione was able to find and confirmed by the mind healers at St. Mungos," Harry said to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, as he handed over parchment with a description and several photos of the buildings and surrounding area, "There is another place in New Zealand that is just as promising and much smaller. They only take a maximum of 7 patients at a time ensuring all aspects of the patient's care can be addressed." Again, he handed over the information and pictures. "Hermione and I believe the place in New Zealand would be best for Ginny. As they point out, the small number of patients they have at any given time would allow for the specialized care that Ginny needs. Hermione," Harry nodded to his wife, "has already reached out to the clinic. After she gave the specifics of the case, without giving any names of course, they are most eager to help. They also have small cabins on their premises for a family member or two to stay in while the patient is under their care. Though they stressed that would be imperative that you only interact with the patient under very strict guidelines."
"And it's far far away from Dumbledore," Hermione thought to her husband who gave her a slight wink in agreement.
"But…but…such a place would cost…" Mrs. Weasley started.
"The cost is not important," Harry said emphatically. "Ginny's mental health is. Not only because of what she means to you, but also because I need to know she will not be a threat to Hermione."
"Did they say how long it would take?" Arthur asked.
"They can't know for sure until they have had a chance to examine Ginny," Hermione answered this time. "They were, of course, dismayed that it happened over three years ago, but believe that it could take anywhere from nine to eighteen months to..."
"OVER A YEAR!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed cutting Hermione off. "What about her education?"
"What about your daughter's life?" Hermione responded slightly heated. "Remember that she just tried to kill me. What kind of education would she get in prison?" Hermione sighed before continuing. "No one wants that. Neither Harry nor I want Ginny sent to Azkaban, but we'll not have her as a threat. Besides, what is a year in the life of a witch? Especially if it makes her mentally whole? Also, I will remind you that it might have been a lot less if she had been treated much earlier."
It was obvious that Molly wanted to respond, but Arthur squeezing her hand stopped her before she could.
"As I was saying, nine to eighteen months to get Ginny fully healed." Hermione continued. "But the mind healers did warn that though her original personality should make it through unscathed it's possible a few memories might be lost. Again, they won't know for sure until they see how deep the problem lies. Now do you agree that this is the best solution? We can arrange for both of you to escort Ginny to the facility and speak to the healers there. If you are comfortable about the arrangements, then Mrs. Weasley, you can stay there with Ginny while Mr. Weasley can return. Or if you can take a leave of absence from work, both of you can stay. It's your choice."
Molly looked at her husband who gave a slight nod. She returned the nod. "Yes, for Ginny."
"We had hoped that would be the case and tentatively made some arrangements," Harry said. "Your international portkey will be leave in three days at 9pm. That means it will be a little after 8am when you get there." Harry and Hermione had pre-arranged the portkey because they did not want Mrs. Weasley talking herself out of getting Ginny help. "We will set up a small allowance for you to draw on while you are there. It should provide you with food and clothes as well as give you galleons you can use to enjoy times by yourself on days that the clinic will not allow you to interact with your daughter."
"What about Ron," Arthur asked. "If we both go, who will be watching him?"
"Bill can watch him for the next few days," Hermione responded. "If you decide to stay as well, then it's only a little over a month before he's back at Hogwarts." She glanced at Harry who gave a simple nod. "We feel he we can interact with him without trouble, though as you can imagine, we'll never be the friends we once were."
%%%% 22 July %%%%
"Sirius said you wanted to see us?" Fred asked as he and George walked into Harry's room.
"Said it was about a prank?" George added.
"It is very important," Hermione replied with a smile. "But first, did your parents and Ginny make it to New Zealand?"
"Yeah, we got a message that they had arrived and Ginny was already scheduled for her first appointment tomorrow morning, or guess that's tonight this time?"
"We're glad to hear it," Hermione replied.
"Have to say we're surprised that you went to all that trouble," Fred said.
"Especially for someone who tried to kill you," George added.
"If Ginny had gotten the help when she needed it," Hermione explained, "she wouldn't be this far gone. I don't even blame your parents," She continued. "They were listening to someone they respected."
"Still, she's our little sister, so we have to say thank you." Fred replied.
"If there is anything we can do," George said. "Just name it."
"Well, funny you should mention that," Harry said, "There is something you can do. If you could just stand on those X's?" He pointed to two marks that they had drawn on the floor." As expected, the twins, after glancing down, immediately backed away into a clearer area on the room while starting to look around for the trap they were expecting.
"No way, you're going trick….." Fred started but before he could finish his sentence two distinct clicks could be heard as disillusioned elves brought the autoinjectors against the twin's thighs.
"What was…." George started as he tried to reach for his thigh, but he did not even finish the words or motion before he and his brother collapsed.
Harry and Hermione had had their wands ready expecting this and each levitated a brother gently to the floor.
"Well it seems to have worked," Sirius said from the door. He had followed the twins up to see the muggle devices used.
"And very fast as well," Hermione added as the knelt beside one of the twins and started performing a medical diagnostic spell. "Similar to the reaction of the cow from yesterday and quite a bit faster than oral application of the potion." They had snuck onto a farm to test the solution on a cow the previous day under Harry's invisibility cloak. "He's fine." She said before performing the same spell on the other twin.
"A Death Eater wouldn't have been able to even utter a spell before being out of action." Harry said.
"And the other Death Eaters wouldn't have a clue to what happened since they didn't drink a potion," Hermione added. She pulled out a vial containing the antidote and dropped several drops in each of the twin's mouth. "It'll take them a few minutes to come around and another few minutes to get their bearing, but they'll be fine," She said confidently.
"Dobby…Winky," Harry said. "You two did excellent." The two elves beamed in pride. "Now let's get your things repaired, sterilized and refilled so you have something to protect Hermione's parents with."
It wasn't long before the twins started moaning and moving slightly, then an eye opened on one of them, then the other. It took another minute before both had opened their eyes though keeping them open seemed to be a challenge for them.
"Geor?" Fred finally whispered in a slurred voice.
"Ye Fre..," George replied in the same voice.
"Hav ny idere wat happn'd?" Fred slurred.
George's eyes moved slowly around until they came to rest on the smiling Harry, Hermione and Sirius. "I thin we gt prak'd."
It was a few more minutes before the twins finally was able to think and speak clearly. Finally, Harry and Hermione explained what they done and showed them the autoinjectors. "And as you saw, or should say demonstrated, the potion actually works much faster than if it was ingested," Hermione finished.
"Any chance we can sell something like this?" Fred asked. "Madam Bones would go insane."
"We thought of that," Hermione replied, "but we'd like to keep it to ourselves right now. At least until Voldemort has been dealt with."
"The unknown of this is our best defense," Harry continued. "If Aurors had these, then no matter what secrecy you swear them to, the word will get out."
"But if you want to get ahead of the game and reverse engineer one of them," Hermione started.
"Reverse Eng…near?" Fred asked.
"Take it apart to see how it works," Hermione explained. "Find a better way to do something like you two always seem to do."
"We can definitely do that," George exclaimed.
"We need these, but we will get you one that you can take apart and play with," Harry said.
%%%% 23rd July %%%%
"And a Bishop moves…which is the bishop again…" Pansy Parkinson muttered to herself as she referenced a Wizard's Chess study guide, "Ah…these pieces beside the king and queen," she again referenced the guide, "they move diagonally? At least the knights are on or represented by horses…that will be easy to remember and they moved…." She read the words and looked at the picture and sigh. "Who in the bloody hell decided on that?" Pansy finally set the book down and glanced around the room. It was filled with books on Quidditch as she tried to familiarize herself with the intricacies of the sport. She knew Ronald Weasley was fanatic about two things and they were Wizard's chess and Quidditch. She had decided on the best approach to engaging with him was an argument about Quidditch, especially his favorite team, the Chudley Cannons. She was sure he could manipulate the argument into other interests and bring up Chess. Unfortunately it had never been something she was interested in but she was determined to make her plan work to save her family's fortunes and if that meant she had to learn to play chess, well she would learn.
%%%% %%%%
"Pain reliever? Blood replenishing?" Snape grumbled for the hundredth time as he stirred a cauldron. "Any dunderhead 6th year student can make these." By Voldemort requesting these, he knew that the Dark Lord was planning something and possibly something big, but Voldemort had made it quite clear that Snape was dismissed from his presence before any discussions were started. "And when I went to see Albus, he was quite dismissive as well." Severus had been wracking his brains for a way to get back into the graces of at least one, but preferably both of his 'Masters'.
"Draco should have been the key," Snape muttered. He knew that Dumbledore wanted to know about young Malfoy, but after he had told Dumbledore the Dark Lord's words about the young man would return before the school year started, the Headmaster had only said, "Well we shall have to wait to see what can be done for poor Draco when the time comes." And that had been it.
Snape shifted his gaze to a different cauldron and gave it three turns and reduced the flames. "What next," He muttered, "Going have me start making sweets and candies? Maybe some Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans or Acid pops?" Snape grumbled, "Or Toothflossing String….." Snape stopped as the word 'toothflossing' had given him an idea. An idea that not only would get him in the good graces of the Dark Lord, but would bring Dumbledore begging for his help. The cherry-on-top would be that it would destroy Potter's Know-It-All Mudblood which would hurt Potter while not going against his oath to protect Potter. When he had thought of the Toothflossing Candy, It had triggered a thought of Potter's wife growing tusks when the toothgrowing spell had hit her and that had reminded him that her parents were dentists…and dentists can't hide behind wards when they are working.
"All I have to do is kidnap her parents and present them to the Dark Lord," Snape said to himself. "The Dark Lord will have hostages to attempt to lure Potter while at the same time Dumbledore will be beside himself trying to determine away to get them back or risk losing Potter."
It was a much happier Severus Snape who finished up the simple potions he had been required to brew for he knew it was not for too much longer. "It should be fairly simple to locate them," Snape said. "Unlike the rest of the Death Eaters, I know how to look them up in a telephone directory." He would locate them, then spend a couple of days scouting their location and routine.
Chapter 43 Snape's Bad Day
A/N
I am so sorry it has been so long. I wrote the first 1500 words several years ago then The world got tougher. Between Covid, wars in the world, divisiveness in our country (USA), moving (I now live in the Northeast) and everything else that is going wrong, my muse fled. I do not know if it's back or if the solo vacation I'm on allowed me to contribute some more, but here is a new chapter.
I have to reply to a couple of guest reviewers. Sometimes their reviews bug me too much and I have no way to reply directly to them
Gaius:Polyjuice laws do not allow you to turn into someone of the opposite () really should read Polyjuice 101
I am presuming the missing word is 'sex'. So he is saying you can't turn into someone of the opposite sex? So…how the heck did Hermione and Fleur turn into Harry in the flight of the seven potters? So…my answer to Gaius…READ THE BOOKS!
(review of Chapter 24) Cam:That's an old computer. You might wanna upgrade to a 2021 computer.
Eh…Cam, you do realize that Harry Potter was set in the 90s? The computer I mentioned was EXACTLY the computer that would have been used in that time frame. I know, I had one. Yes Windows 95 came out in...(drumroll)...95 but it released in August and since I said the computer was purchased when Hermione got home from Hogwarts at 4th year, that would have been late June/Early July 95...so Windows 3. Trivia fact, there was a windows 3.2 but it was for the Chinese version of windows only.
I acknowledge that the characters in this story are based JK Rowlings fictional stories, but I wholeheartedly disagree with her transsexual stance. I have very close relatives who are transsexual and I love them dearly.
Chapter 43
&&& July 30th &&&
Severus Snape was no fool. All of his time as a spy for both Voldemort and Dumbledore he had learned one of the most valuable lessons; the key to a successful plan was information. After locating the Grangers' dental facility, he had started gathering information on their habits. He had first found a spot outside the wards of the Grangers' house and out of sight where he could watch them leaving every morning. He would then apparate back to a spot he had located near their office and wait for them to arrive.
After spending a week watching the Grangers, Snape had become frustrated. They had an assigned parking spot in front of the building and there were always people about when they arrived. So, he had discounted the possibility of snatching them as they got out of their car, in what he had hoped might have been a secluded location. He had thought of and discarded several other possibilities until finally, he had decided the best plan would be to go into their office, get one alone in a room, imperious them to call for the other. Once he had both, he would stun them and utilize the portkey to a Death Eater safe house he carried. He then planned to return, pull a fire alarm and disappear again. No one would be able to determine what exactly happened to the Grangers during the commotion, giving Snape more time before their disappearance was noticed. "Even better," Snape thought to himself as he walked into the building housing the dentistry, "It will ruin Potter's birthday tomorrow."
"I believe I have an appointment," Snape said to the receptionist a few moments later.
"And your name?" The receptionist asked without even looking up. Snape sent a silent confundus at her in response. "Ah, yes you do have an appointment. I'll show you back immediately." At those words, a couple of the patrons in the waiting room looked up, annoyed at someone going back ahead of them. The greasy-haired man got a look of disgust from the people who then went back to the magazines they had been perusing.
What Snape had not noticed during his information gathering were the two house elves that were always watching and currently they were silently observing what was happening. They looked at each other with a moment of confusion then one of them popped away.
When Dobby appeared next Harry and Hermione, they turned to him and saw him pulling at his ears with a worried expression. "What is it Dobby? Has something happened to Mum and Dad?" Hermione asked.
"Professor Greasy hair is there," Dobby said in almost a whisper.
"Snape? Snape is at the Dental office?" Harry demanded.
Dobby nodded.
"What is he doing?" Hermione asked.
"Hes confounded the lady who lets people in and is being sent back," Dobby said.
"Then you get back there and if he so much as reaches for his wand, you and Winky take him down," Harry said determinedly.
"What if he's there to help?" Hermione asked as she raised her hand in a stopping motion for Dobby. "Maybe…maybe Dumbledore sent him. Maybe they're in danger?"
"Why approach them at their office instead of here? No…this isn't right, and I don't think we can take a chance." Harry argued. "Let Dobby and Winky take him out and then let Madam Bones find out why he was there. We can have the elves bring your mum and dad back here behind the wards until we have answers."
Hermione slowly nodded. "That…that works." She turned to the house-elf. "If Snape pulls out a wand without a very apparent threat happening or appears threatening in any way then stop him and then bring mum and dad here. We'll contact Madam Bones to pick him up if needed."
Dobby nodded with a clear sign of relief. He popped away back to the dental clinic.
"There must have been a mistake, Mr…" Jean Granger said as she entered the treatment room looking down at her notes. "The receptionist didn't leave any records so it will be a few…." A motion or reflection off of the equipment caught her eye and she looked up at the individual in question. In an instant she notice the person had very greasy hair, a hooked nose, a sneer on his face and….was pulling out what could only be a wand.
"Imper…." The man started to say, but instantly two house elves popped into the room on either side of Snape and plunged the Epipens into the wizard's thighs. The pain the two separate injections caused broke his concentration as his attempt to imperious Hermione's mother failed. The hooked-nose Potion Master looked down, ready to curse whatever caused the pain and then he felt it.
Severus Snape had a secret. There was a reason he kept his hair greasy even after he became an adult. His childhood feature provided a prominent defense for his adult life. At the tips of his hair that could reach his mouth were greasy drops of ultra pure potions that provided antidotes to Veritaserum as well as several other potions including the Drought of Living Death and even a restorative to combat the effects of the Cruciatus curse. If someone was trying to force a potion down his throat, he knew shaking his head in an attempt to prevent it was normal enough reaction to not warrant careful examination, but just a small amount of his hair in his mouth and a quick suck on it and he knew he would be protected.
As a Potion Master who was also a spy for two sides, he had tested the effects of all of the expected potions he was defending himself from. He knew the exact time between ingesting the liquid, even the highest potency potion, and when the effects would take place. Snape could tell the exact potion he was given by the taste or even lack of taste or failing that, the initial effects were also well known to him, but that was all based on an oral administration of the potion. He had never considered the possibility of a different method.
As he brought his wand up to curse the diminutive figures for attacking him, he felt the initial effects and knew instantly there was a problem, "Drought of Living Death," He thought as he recognized the effects taking hold of him. "Too fast…how?" Snape thought as he desperately brought his hand up to his hair for the antidote. He grabbed his hair and tried to get it in his mouth but it was too late; darkness overtook him, and he collapsed on the floor.
Because it had only taken a few seconds between the time she had opened the door and for Snape to be lying on the floor appearing to be dead, Jean Granger had not even had time to panic or even feel fear, but now as she realized that someone had attempted to harm her, possibly even kill her, she collapsed in a chair. As she sat there stunned, staring at the man…wizard who had wanted to harm her, she couldn't help but replay what had just happened in the last minute in her mind. What seemed strange to her was something that seemed ridiculous but also true…she could have sworn as the man was starting to collapse, he was trying to eat his greasy hair.
"Master and Mistress said we need to bring you home," Dobby said as Jean continued to stare at the man on the floor. "Theys be concerned for you."
"But our patients…" Jean started and then stopped as the events caught up to her and swallowed and just nodded.
Dobby and Winky quickly took Snape and Jean back to the Granger house and Dobby brought Hermione back to the office to notify her father about what had happened and figure out a way to clear the office of staff and patients. It took several minutes to explain the situation to Richard but soon the office was cleared.
'Ma'am," Tonks said as she rushed into Madam's Bones office several minutes later. "There is or was an issue with Harry and Hermione…well her parents. It was Snape. He…he tried to do something to them. Kidnap them or something."
Amelia was already rising from her chair and shouting "Get me the rapid response team and…."
"Ma'am….it's alright. They stopped him. Or at least their elves did," Tonks explained as she tried to calm her boss down. "They have Snape dosed up with Draught of Living Death and have both Grangers back home under protection. They then contacted me to ask me for you to either come over or send someone to deal with the garbage."
Snape's return to the conscious world was a struggle even after the antidote was administered. The double dose and potency of the potion as well as having it delivered directly into his leg muscles caused the antidote to work more slowly than normal.
"Hello Severus Snape," A Female's voice said. Snape was sure he recognized the voice, but in his recovering muddled mental state, he could not place it. "Finally caught being your Death-Eater self it seems," The voice continued. "I've been waiting a long time to have a conversation with you."
As Snape's vision cleared and his brain began to become more alert, he looked around to try to determine where he was. He could tell he was sitting at a table in a darkened room with multiple bright lights all focused on him directly on him. On his wrists were iron manacles with intricate runes engraved on them.
Snape could sense the female who had spoken was directly in front of him. He could also sense more people in the room but could not make them out. What he could see was the bottle of Veritaserum sitting on the table in front of him. The label was from a potioneer who made potions for the Ministry; not the highest quality, but effective.
Silence. Outside of minor movements by the people in the darkness, nothing was said. Seconds, stretched into a minute and that turned into two. Snape knew what they were attempting to do; they were trying to get him to become unnerved and start talking but he knew it would not work. He started to bring up his occlumency. He knew he could wait anyone out with the right mindset. Just as Snape was delving into a relaxed state, pain ripped through his body. Pain, not like the needles of a cruciatus curse, but more like he had been dunked in boiling liquid. After a few seconds it disappeared.
"Severus, were you attempting to use Occlumency?" The voice asked with a slight hint of amusement. The person leaned into the light and Snape could see it was Amelia Bones; Head of the DMLE.
"Bones? Why am I here?" Snape demanded. "I was attacked and you are torturing ME?" He blustered. "I demand to talk to Dumbledore. You know he will not allow this."
"You were caught attempting an unforgivable on Hermione Potter's mother," Amelia replied as she leaned back into the darkness, becoming just a voice again. At the name Potter, Snape gave a slight hint of confusion, but it disappeared quickly. "So you hadn't heard that Harry and Hermione are married?"
"No, but you have no proof of anything that you're accusing me of," Snape argued. "I was checking in on her parents so I could prove that there was weakness in their defense. It was a mission from Albus Dumbledore. Ask him!" Snape was sure Dumbledore would use that excuse to get him out custody. If for no other reason than preventing his secrets from being revealed.
Amelia reached for the small bottle of Truth Serum that sat on the table. "Well, if that's the case, I'm sure you have nothing to worry about after a few drops of this."
"You can't use that," Snape sneered. "You have no proof of any wrongdoing on my part. Without evidence, that law is quite clear on the use of truth serums."
"Your wand's last spell was a confundus," Amelia said. "Obviously on the receptionist at their office."
"And as I said, I was proving a weakness in their defense," Snape argued. He had regained his composure and knew he would be walking out of the room soon. He could tell Amelia was bluffing. "Besides, it was just a muggle. You think the Wizengamot cares if some muggle gets confounded? You have a whole department who go around changing muggle's minds all the time. Who's going to care that I confounded a woman. She wasn't harmed."
"Again, we shall see what comes out in the questioning under this," Amelia once again picked up the small bottle.
"You know you can't use that on me," Snape scoffed. "in fact just putting these," He raised his hands to show the manacles, "on me is going to get you in trouble."
"For a Death Eater, you sure believe in laws," Amelia said quietly, "Did Yaxley give lessons on it? Tell you and your fellow scum how to 'work the system'?" Amelia set the bottle down. "You might have been right, IF we were in the Ministry," Amelia agreed.
Suddenly Snape felt an emptiness in is stomach but continued his bluster. "Where else would we be? Did you take me out of the country? Then the ICW would be involved."
Amelia leaned back into the light and shook her head. "Again you are wrong. You see, when we had the Goblins build and run the new entry system for the Ministry, we failed to clarify whose territory it would be. After a bit of negotiations earlier, we decided that on the entry side, or the where you go into the building beside Gringotts, it would be Goblin territory, subject to their laws and on the other side, Ministry land. Now guess what side of entry we are currently? I'll give you a hint; that is Goblin iron on your wrists. They designed those to interrogate thieves who seek to hind behind mind magics to prevent revealing the truth. Here, you are subject to Goblin law, and as a Wizard you have about as many rights as that muggle you confunded would have in the Wizengamot. Actually far, far less."
The sneer that had been on Snape's face faltered.
"Now shall we begin?" Madam Bones asked as she picked up the bottle once more and removed the stopper.
"No, you can't do this," Snape cried out as he immediately shook his head, catching the end of his hair in his mouth and sucked quickly on it knowing he was protecting himself from the liquid. But as he did, he knew something was wrong. What he tasted wasn't his antidote/preventative; it was an extremely sour and disgusting taste. Unfortunately, Snape knew that taste.
Amelia, still in the light, smiled. "Do you know when your life is in danger, you remember the most peculiar things?" She asked. "When we questioned Mrs. Granger, she repeated several times how she thought you were trying to eat your hair. Strange thing to remember, but it did make her daughter very curious and she examined your hair. Very clever and it might have worked. But your solution was washed out of your hair and an extremely powerful laxative potion was used to replace it. Now…" Amelia looked at her watch, "you are going to need a bathroom in about 58 minutes. I hope you are cooperative enough to be finished with your questioning by then or you will make quite a mess in that chair. A mess, I guarantee the goblins will make you clean up, probably without a mop or bucket."
Fifty-five minutes later Snape was escorted to a bathroom after giving every detail he knew about Death Eaters and every crime he had committed. He had struggled at first. He had once again tried occlumency as the Veritaserum has been administered, and once again suffered from the burning like sensation that prevented him from protecting his mind. In the end, the drug took effect and the answers had flowed. Amelia knew the location of every safe house Snape knew about, every cache of supplies and the identities of numerous other active Death Eaters. She also had enough dirt on Dumbledore that she could have him removed from all of his positions and ruin his reputation for good. Information she would definitely use at his trial as soon as Voldemort was eradicated for good.
"Are you really sure you're okay?" Hermione asked her parents for the tenth time since they had been brought back home.
"We're fine dear," Her mother replied. "Really we are. Your father never knew anything was happening and I barely had time to register anything was amiss before Dobby and Winky had that person incapacitated. "Though I won't say that the thought of what could have happened isn't unnerving, especially if you're saying he was going to put that control spell on me."
"The imperious curse is one of the three curses that are called unforgivables and are completely against the law. Just casting it on an unwilling person will get you a lifetime in prison." Hermione explained. "It gives the caster complete control over their victim. And I do mean complete. The other two unforgivable are the torture curse and the killing curse. Harry has had the unfortunate fate of having to suffer all three of them and survive."
"And you?" Her father asked. "Have you ever had one cast at you?"
"Only in a classroom setting," Hermione replied. "A professor demonstrated the effects of that control curse on us so we'd know what it feels like. Harry was the only one who could fight it off by the end of the first class." She was not about to mention that particular professor was not really a professor but in fact a Death Eater.
"Ma'am, sir," Harry said, he had been sitting out most of the conversations about what happened. "Now that it's possible that Voldemort might know where you work, we need to figure out if there's a better way to protect you. Dobby and Winky are great, but I'm worried that more than one death eater will show up. I'm sure they can deal with one or two but it might be a challenge if several show up. Death Eaters might just unleash Fiendfyre on the entire building."
"What do you suggest? We can't just stay home all the time," Jean said.
"Can you take several months off from work?" Harry asked.
"We have junior partners who can take over our workload, but I'm not going to sit at home for months."
"I know you like to travel," Harry said. "Go travel the world for 6 months or even a year."
Jean looked at her husband, "What do you think Richard?"
"Before you decide, please understand it would be our treat," Harry said. "Hermione and I were provided money by Miranda and my Godfather turned it into a lot more. So you can have a luxury vacation."
"He's right mum," Hermione added. "We can setup an account and you can draw off of it or we can deposit it directly into your account."
"We would not want to take your money," Jean said. "You will need it someday."
"Mum, you can travel the world first class and we wouldn't notice a drop in the account balance," Hermione said.
"How much is a 'lot more'," Richard asked.
"Half of 22 million and the going exchange rate is 5 pounds to a galleon…fifty-five million pounds," Hermione replied.
"You are telling us that you have fifty million pounds?" Richard asked. "How…no…as long as it wasn't illegal, I probably don't want to know. But I still am not sure we can take your money."
"Sir, you'd be doing us a favor," Harry explained. "We do not know if Snape told Voldemort where you are working or not, but even if he didn't, it will be logical target for him to try to discover." He glanced at Hermione. "You are in danger because of me, and by removing the ability of Voldemort to use you against us, it would be helpful. I also need Hermione to be her sharpest. If she's worried about you, it will distract her and me."
"We'll take a few days off at least and think about it," Jean said. "It is a lovely idea. I've always wanted to do an African Safari and maybe…"
"Mum, don't tell us," Hermione said. "If you go, we do not want to know where you are. Tell us all about everything you do when you get back but we can't know until you get back where you are or going. We don't want it to slip accidentally where you are and have someone find you."